title: Variation in 17 oxogenic steroid excretion following oral prednisolone in children with lymphoblastic leukaemia.
abstract: 19 children in their first remission from "standard risk" lymphoblastic leukaemia had the urinary concentration of 17 oxogenic steroids (OGS) measured after two scheduled 5-day courses of prednisolone, only for the second of which were the parents aware of what the urine would be examined for. Despite a carefully standardised dose of the drug, there was a very wide scatter of OGS excretion which changed from time to time with each patient, but not in a way related to when the parents knew what was being measured. 6 low-excreting patients were reassessed in hospital with controlled compliance but only 1 produced her highest level under such circumstances. These results suggest variable bioavailability of prednisolone, but do not indicate the reason. Non-compliance does not appear to the sole explanation.
mesh_terms: D015065:17-Hydroxycorticosteroids / Q000652:urine*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D001682:Biological Availability; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000652:urine*; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D015065:17-Hydroxycorticosteroids; D011239:Prednisolone; D003404:Creatinine